Wow. What can I say? I was referred to Hayneedle by a former client of mine. I decided to check it out and was offered a job on the spot.
When I began training for the job, there were ten people in the group. On the last day of training (four days later), there were three.
The turnover is incredible and the morale is so low that the company spends THOUSANDS of dollars trying to boost it, using themed events as a cushion for the poor working conditions.
The schedules are set through shift bidding but the only people to be granted their preferred hours are long-term, high-performing employees.
The pay for an Online Retail Specialist is $10 per hour and a Customer Service Rep is paid $12 per hour. The parameters for achieving a regular commission check are almost unattainable for new hires.
Internet is not reimbursed if you work from home and you also have to pay for a landline phone connection.
'The Tower' is a team of people who track where all the agents are during the day. If you leave your seat for more than a couple of minutes, you will receive a call or a message on 'HipChat' to ask where you are.
The company has just been bought by Walmart, so there's a huge push to sell much more than previously required by the agents. The CEO is notoriously selfish and will stop at nothing to ensure his own success.
The opportunities for promotions at Hayneedle are small. The recruitment drives have meant the number of agents has increased by the truck load, although they're hoarded by managers desperate to appear busy.
Speaking with ex-coworkers, I hear there are even more people leaving and the company is now offering large bonuses for employee referrals.
Do yourself a massive favour and stay away from this company. It'll only end in your search for another job.
